Filtration structure, in particular a particulate filter for the exhaust gases of an internal combustion engine, and associated exhaust line

Abstract

Said structure comprises first and second filtering elements ( 15 A, 15 B) respectively comprising a first and second lateral surface ( 24 A, 24 B) disposed opposite each other. A joint ( 17 ) linking said surfaces ( 24 A, 24 B) extends between the surfaces ( 24 A, 24 B). The first lateral surface ( 24 A) comprises, in the upstream part ( 36 A), a first region ( 35 C) of low or zero adherence with the joint ( 17 ), said region being defined longitudinally upstream by an upstream region ( 33 A) of high adherence with said joint ( 17 ). The upstream region ( 33 A) of high adherence is longitudinally defined upstream by a second region ( 35 A) of low or zero adherence with the joint ( 17 ). Application: particle filters for the exhaust gases of an engine.

1 . Filtration structure ( 11 ), in particular a particulate filter for the exhaust gases of an internal combustion engine, of the type comprising:
 at least first and second filtration elements ( 15 A,  15 B), each filtration element ( 15 A,  15 B) having a gas inlet face ( 21 ) and a gas discharge face ( 23 ) which are connected to each other by at least two lateral faces ( 24 ), the first and the second filtration elements ( 15 A,  15 B) respectively having a first and a second lateral face ( 24 A,  24 B) which are arranged facing each other; and   a joint ( 17 ) for connecting the faces ( 24 A,  24 B), extending between the faces ( 24 A,  24 B);   the first lateral face ( 24 A) comprising, in the upstream half ( 36 A) thereof, a first region ( 35 C) of weak or zero adhesion to the joint ( 17 ), delimited longitudinally in an upstream direction by an upstream region ( 33 A) of strong adhesion to the joint ( 17 );   each region ( 35 ) of weak or zero adhesion to the joint ( 17 ) of the first face ( 24 A) being located substantially facing a region ( 33 ) of strong adhesion to the joint ( 17 ) of the second face ( 24 B), and each region ( 33 ) of strong adhesion to the joint ( 17 ) of the first face ( 24 A) being located substantially facing a region ( 35 ) of weak or zero adhesion to the joint ( 17 ) of the second face ( 24 B);   characterised in that the upstream region ( 33 A) of strong adhesion is delimited longitudinally in an upstream direction by a second region ( 35 A) of weak or zero adhesion to the joint ( 17 ).   
   
   
       2 . Structure ( 11 ) according to  claim 1 , characterised in that the second region ( 35 A) of weak or zero adhesion to the joint ( 17 ) extends as far as the inlet face ( 21 ). 
   
   
       3 . Structure ( 11 ) according to  claim 1 , characterised in that the maximum length of the upstream region ( 33 A) of strong adhesion to the joint ( 17 ) is less than or substantially equal to the minimum length of the adjacent regions ( 35 A,  35 C) of weak or zero adhesion to the joint. 
   
   
       4 . Structure ( 11 ) according to  claim 1 , characterised in that the maximum length of the upstream region ( 33 A) is less than one fifth of the total length of the first filtration element ( 15 A). 
   
   
       5 . Structure ( 11 ) according to  claim 1 , characterised in that one of the first and second lateral faces ( 24 A,  24 B) comprises, in the downstream half ( 36 B) thereof, a downstream region ( 33 E) of strong adhesion to the joint ( 17 ), delimited in an upstream and downstream direction by respective regions ( 35 C;  35 K,  35 G) of weak or zero adhesion to the joint ( 17 ). 
   
   
       6 . Structure ( 11 ) according to  claim 5 , characterised in that the region ( 35 G) of weak or zero adhesion to the joint ( 17 ) that is adjacent to the downstream region ( 33 E) in a downstream direction extends as far as the discharge face ( 23 ). 
   
   
       7 . Structure ( 11 ) according to  claim 5 , characterised in that the maximum length of the downstream region ( 33 E) of strong adhesion to the joint ( 17 ) is less than or substantially equal to the minimum length of the adjacent regions ( 35 C;  35 K,  35 G) of weak or zero adhesion to the joint ( 17 ). 
   
   
       8 . Structure ( 11 ) according to  claim 5 , characterised in that the downstream region ( 33 E) extends on the first face ( 24 A). 
   
   
       9 . Structure ( 11 ) according to  claim 5 , characterised in that one of the first and second lateral faces ( 24 A,  24 B) comprises, between the upstream region ( 33 A) and the downstream region ( 33 E), at least an intermediate region ( 33 J) of strong adhesion to the joint ( 17 ), and adjacent regions ( 35 C,  35 K) of weak or zero adhesion to the joint ( 17 ), located upstream and downstream of the intermediate region ( 33 J), respectively. 
   
   
       10 . Structure ( 11 ) according to  claim 9 , characterised in that the lengths of the downstream region ( 33 E), the upstream region ( 33 A) and the intermediate region ( 33 J) are substantially identical. 
   
   
       11 . Exhaust line ( 13 ), characterised in that it comprises a structure ( 11 ) according to  claim 1 .